AIM: To investigate the risk factors associated with the recurrence of macular edema secondary to branch retinal vein occlusion(BRVO-ME)after anti-vascular endothelial growth factor(anti-VEGF)therapy.METHODS:A total of 32 patients(32 eyes)with BRVO-ME who were treated at the ophthalmology department of the Affiliated Hospital of Shandong Second Medical University from February 2021 to June 2022 were selected. They were treated with a 3+pro re nata (PRN)anti-VEGF regimen and followed up for 6 mo. Following 3 consecutive anti-VEGF injections, patients were categorized into a non-recurrence group and a recurrence group based on central macular thickness(CMT)measured by optical coherence tomography(OCT)at 6 mo post-treatment. Aqueous humor levels of various cytokines levels were quantified using suspension assay method. Demographic characteristics, CMT, and cytokine levels were compared between the two groups, and their correlations with the recurrence of BRVO-ME after anti-VEGF treatment were analyzed.RESULTS:At 6 months post-treatment, ME resolved in 19 eyes(no recurrence group), while 13 eyes showed persistent or recurrent ME(recurrence group). Compared to baseline, the CMT significantly improved in both groups at 1 d, 1, and 6 mo post-treatment(all P<0.05). However, the recurrence group exhibited significantly higher baseline, 1 d and 6 mo post-treatment CMT values than the non-recurrence group(all P<0.05). The aqueous humor levels of VEGF and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1(MCP-1)at baseline were significantly higher in the recurrence group than the non-recurrence group(all P<0.05). Spearman correlation analysis revealed positive associations between baseline CMT and interlukin IL-1β, IL-5, IL-12, MCP-1 and IP-10 levels(all P<0.05). Multivariable Logistic regression analysis identified baseline CMT and MCP-1 levels as independent risk factors for BRVO-ME recurrence(OR>1, P<0.05).CONCLUSION: Elevated baseline CMT and aqueous humor MCP-1 levels were identified as independent risk factors for BRVO-ME recurrence after anti-VEGF therapy. Patients exhibiting higher baseline CMT and MCP-1 levels demonstrated significantly increased susceptibility to recurrence.

OBJECTIVE To elucidate the mechanisms responsible for the inhibitory effects of limonene on the proliferation of non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC) by non-targeted metabolomics and additional approaches. METHODS The CCK-8 assay was utilized to evaluate the inhibitory effects of limonene on NSCLC A549 cell viability and to ascertain the IC50. In vitro experiments, encompassing colony formation, flow cytometry, iron content assessment, and mitochondrial staining, were conducted to assess the anti-lung cancer and iron-induced cell death effects of limonene. Metabolomic analysis was employed to identify potential pathways influenced by limonene, and Western blotting was carried out to validate pivotal proteins within these pathways. RESULTS In comparison to the control group, the limonene-treated group demonstrated a significant, dose-dependent reduction in A549 cell proliferation and colony formation. Optical microscopy revealed cellular detachment and pronounced changes in cellular morphology following exposure to limonene. Limonene induced apoptosis in A549 cells and arrested them in the G0-G1 phase of the cell cycle. Confocal microscopy unveiled diminished mitochondrial fluorescence and an augmented intracellular iron content, indicative of the classical phenomenon of ferroptosis. Metabolomic investigations unveiled divergent metabolic pathways, including glutathione(GSH) metabolism, arginine biosynthesis, D-glutamine and D-glutamate metabolism, as well as cysteine and methionine metabolism, with many of them intricately linked to intracellular GSH synthesis. Western blotting experiments underscored a marked reduction in the levels of SLC40A1, SLC7A11(xCT), and GPX4 proteins within the cells post-limonene treatment. CONCLUSION Limonene may induce ferroptosis in lung cancer cells by reducing GSH synthesis and increasing Fe2+ levels.

Loganin(LOG),a bioactive compound derived from Cornus officinalis Siebold & Zucc,has been understudied in the context of osteoarthritis(OA)treatment.In this study,we induced an inflammatory response in chondrocytes using lipopolysaccharide(LPS)and subsequently treated these cells with LOG.We employed fluorescence analysis to quantify reactive oxygen species(ROS)levels and measured the expression of NLRP3 and nuclear factor erythropoietin-2-related factor 2(NRF2)using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR),Western blotting,and immunofluorescence(IF)techniques.Additionally,we developed an OA mouse model by performing medial meniscus destabilization(DMM)surgery and monitored disease progression through micro-com-puted tomography(micro-CT),hematoxylin and eosin(H&E)staining,safranin O and fast green(S&F)staining,and immunohisto-chemical(IHC)analysis.Our results indicate that LOG significantly reduced LPS-induced ROS levels in chondrocytes,inhibited the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome,and enhanced NRF2/heme oxygenase 1(HO-1)signaling.In vivo,LOG treatment mitigated cartilage degradation and osteophyte formation triggered by DMM surgery,decreased NLRP3 expression,and increased NRF2 expres-sion.These findings suggest that LOG has a protective effect against OA,potentially delaying disease progression by inhibiting the ROS-NLRP3-IL-1β axis and activating the NRF2/HO-1 pathway.

The complexity of coding surgical procedures related to renal replacement therapy in nephrology stems from a deficiency in clinical knowledge regarding renal replacement therapies and an incomplete understanding of the classification rules within the ICD-9-CM-3 coding system.This paper delves into the clinical aspects of renal replacement therapy and organizes the corresponding coding classification rules,clarifying the codes for various treatment modalities.For instance,the establishment of dialysis access is coded as 38.95 for hemodialysis venous intubation,39.27 for vascular fistula,and 54.93 for peritoneal dialysis intubation via a cutaneous peritoneal stoma.Maintenance hemodialysis is coded as 39.95,while peritoneal dialysis is coded as 54.98.The removal of dialysis catheter is differentiated into surgical and non-surgical;surgical removal is coded as 86.05,and non-surgical removal as 97.86 or 97.89.For instances of internal fistula stenosis or thrombosis,balloon dilation is coded as 39.50.Stent implantation for stenosis or isolation of a false aneurysm is coded as 39.90 for bare stent,and 00.55 for covered stents.The resection and reconstruction involving stenosis,thrombus segments,or false aneurysms,are coded as 39.42.This classification aims to improve the accuracy of coding for such procedures.

Objective To analyze the colonization status and clinical infection characteristics of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) and to identify its risk factors. Methods From January 2021 to January 2023, 129 patients with CRE colonization admitted to our hospital were included in the colonization group, and the species identification results and departmental distribution of CRE were recorded. The sensitivity of CRE-colonized patients to commonly used antimicrobials was analyzed based on the results of antimicrobial susceptibility testing. Additionally, 80 patients with carbapenem-sensitive Enterobacterales (CSE) infections during the same period were recruited as control group. Clinical data between the colonization group and the control group were compared, and multivariate Logistic regression analysis was conducted to screen for risk factors for CRE colonization. Results A total of 129 CRE strains were isolated from 129 patients with CRE colonization, with Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli being the most commonly seen bacteria, accounting for 47.29% and 18.60%, respectively. The 129 CRE strains were mainly distributed in the Critical Care Medicine Department, Urological Surgery Department, and Thoracic Surgery Department, with proportions of 22.48%, 16.28%, and 15.50%, respectively. The 129 common CRE strains exhibited high resistance rates to antimicrobials such as piperacillin/tazobactam and meropenem, and high sensitivity to tigecycline and polymyxin. The colonization group had a higher proportion of patients with antimicrobial use for >2 weeks, tracheal intubation, indwelling catheters, corticosteroid use, and immunosuppressant use compared to the control group (P < 0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in gender, age, hypertension, antifungal drug use, long-term bed rest, hemoglobin, or body mass index between the two groups (P>0.05). The results of multivariate Logistic regression analysis revealed that antimicrobial use for >2 weeks (95%CI, 1.289 to 5.407), tracheal intubation (95%CI, 1.065 to 5.006), indwelling catheters (95%CI, 1.020 to 5.129), corticosteroid use (95%CI, 1.387 to 5.789), and immunosuppressant use (95%CI, 1.249 to 5.492) were risk factors for CRE colonization (OR>1, P < 0.05). Conclusion Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli are the most common species of CRE colonized clinically, primarily distributed in the Critical Care Medicine Department, Urological Surgery Department, and Thoracic Surgery Department. CRE colonization is associated with factors such as antimicrobial use for >2 weeks, tracheal intubation, indwelling catheters, corticosteroid use, and immunosuppressant use. Thus, enhanced protective measures for susceptible patients should be implemented clinically.

Objective:To explore the effects of teaching with standardized patients and trauma simulators in surgical debridement training.Methods:Forty-two undergraduate medical students were randomly divided into research group ( n=21) and control group ( n=21) during surgical debridement training in clinical skills simulation training courses. The research group received training using standardized patients combined with trauma simulators, while the control group received training using the simulated teaching method. After training, an examination test and a questionnaire survey were conducted to investigate whether the teaching method under study improved students' doctor-patient communication skills, humanistic care skills, and clinical operational skills. SPSS 20.0 was used to perform the t test and chi-square test. Results:The research group had significantly higher scores in debridement procedures [(65.63±2.58) vs. (62.92±3.88)], communication [(18.62±0.67) vs. (12.71±1.89)], and humanistic care [(8.52±0.51) vs. (6.33±1.11)] than the control group (all P<0.05). The survey results showed that medical students were more satisfied with the teaching method with standardized patients and trauma simulators, believing that it could improve doctor-patient communication skills, humanistic care skills, and clinical practice levels ( P<0.05). Conclusion:The teaching method with standardized patients and trauma simulators can improve training effects, which is worth promotion.

Objective:To explore the application effect of laparoscopic surgery skills training course in the standardized residency training of surgery.Methods:A total of 40 standardized trainees of surgical residents rotating in general surgery were selected as the research objects, and randomly divided into the experimental group and the control group. The experimental group was offered laparoscopic surgery skills training course. The course content includes theoretical teaching module, simulated teaching module, virtual teaching module and clinical surgery practice teaching module. The control group was taught by traditional theory teaching and clinical surgery practice teaching. At the end of the courses, the two groups of students were assessed for their skills in laparoscopic grasping and pass, suture and knotting. At the same time, a questionnaire survey was conducted among the students and teachers. The t-test was performed using SPSS 22.0 statistical software. Results:The theoretical scores of the experimental and control groups were (67.90±13.24) and (69.70±13.46), respectively, with no statistically significant difference ( P > 0.05). After the courses, the performance of grasping and pass, suture and knotting of the experimental group (15.25±3.24 and 5.45±2.14) was higher than that of the control group (11.25±2.12 and 2.75±1.16), and the difference was statistically significant ( P < 0.01).The questionnaire survey showed that the proportion of "better" feedback from students and teachers on laparoscopic skills training courses was significantly higher than that of "general" and "poor". Conclusion:The laparoscopic surgery skills training course can improve the laparoscopic surgery skills of the trainees in the standardized residency training of surgery, shorten the learning curve, and make the training standardized and homogeneous. It is worthy of wide promotion and application in the standardized training base.

Humans ; Aripiprazole/therapeutic use* ; Schizophrenia/drug therapy* ; Antipsychotic Agents/therapeutic use* ; Risperidone ; China ; Treatment Outcome

Objective:To investigate the effects of bevacizumab injection on immune function and drug safety in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).Methods:A total of 80 NSCLC patients admitted to Liaocheng Second People′s Hospital from August 2018 to August 2020 were selected as study subjects. They were divided into the observation group and the control group by random number table method, each group with 40 cases. The control group received routine chemotherapy and the observation group received bevacizumab injection as adjuvant therapy on the bases of control group. Short-term efficacy, serum T lymphocyte subsets, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (b-FGF) levels and the incidence of adverse reactions were compared between the two groups.Results:The total effective rate and disease control rate in the observation group were significantly higher than those in the control group: 77.5%(31/40) vs. 55.0%(22/40), 92.5%(37/40) vs. 75.0%(30/40), χ2 = 4.53, 4.50, P<0.05. After the treatment, the levels of CD 3+, CD 4+, CD 8+ and CD 4+/CD 8+ in the observation group were increased ( P<0.05), while those in the control group were decreased ( P<0.05), the levels of CD 3+, CD 4+, CD 8+ and CD 4+/CD 8+ in the observation group after treatment were higher than those in the control group ( P<0.05). After the treatment, the levels of serum VEGF and b-FGF in both groups were decreased ( P<0.05), and the above indicators in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group ( P<0.05). The rate of adverse reactions in two groups had no significant differences ( P>0.05). Conclusions:Bevacizumab injection is safe and effective in the treatment of NSCLC, which can significantly improve the immune function of patients and reduce their serum VEGF and b-FGF levels.

Objective:To investigate the correlation between three-dimensional histogram analysis of dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging(DCE-MRI)and Gleason score(GS)in prostate cancer(Pca)from two hospital, and its diagnostic efficacy for discriminating low-grade from high-grade Pca.Methods:A total of 102 pathologically confirmed Pca patients in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University and Hangzhou Traditional Chinese Medical Hospital(TCM Hospital)Affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medical University from January 2017 to October 2020 were retrospectively analyzed.The quantitative parameters of Pca, including transport constant(K trans), rate constant(K ep), percent volume of the extravascular extracellular space(V e)and fraction of the Intraplasmic contrast volume(V p), were obtained by manually layer by layer delineating of interested regions of all lesions on the original DCE-MRI imaging.Then the three-dimensional histogram analysis of the above parameters were performed to obtain the minimum, maximum, median, mean, area, 10 thpercentile, 25 thpercentile, 75 thpercentile and 90 thpercentile.The correlations between quantitative parameters and GS, and diagnostic efficiencies were analyzed. Results:102 Pca patients were divided into low-grade prostate cancer group(GS≤3+ 4)(n=44)and high-grade Pca group(GS≥4+ 3)(n=58). There were no statistically significant differences in age and location of lesions between the two groups( P>0.05), but there were statistically significant differences in Gleason score, PSA level and lesion diameter between the two groups( U=0.000, 730.000, 711.000, all P<0.05). The median, mean, 10 thpercentile, 25 thpercentile, 75 thpercentile, 90 thpercentile derived from K trans, and K ep(median, mean, 10%, 25%, 75%, 90%)together with maximum of K transand mean for V e were positively correlated with GS( r=0.405 to 0.583, P<0.05), in which mean of K transhad the highest positive correlation( r=0.583, P=0.000). The histogram parameters derived from V pwere negatively correlated with GS( r=-0.301 to 0.341, P<0.05). The area under ROC of 75th percentile derived from K transwas the highest(0.832). When the cut-off value of 75 thpercentile derived from K transwas ≥0.680/min, its Youden index, sensitivity, and specificity were 0.594, 0.776, 0.818, respectively. Conclusions:The three-dimensional histogram of DCE-MRI quantitative parameters has correlation with GS in Pca patients, can be used to discriminate low-grade from high-grade Pca.